Electric connector.



J'. BERG.

ELECTRC CNNECTR.

APPLICAUUN rms SEPT, 2G` wir.

1,274,844, i Patented Aug. 6, llt

vso

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BERG, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO METAL SPECIALTIES MANUFAC- TUBING UOMPANY, 0F CHICAGU, ILLINOIS, A (JOBPGRATIONP OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC CONN ECTOF..

Bpecloation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 191s.

To all wia-0m 'it may concern: 4Be it known that; I, Joux BERG, a cit-izo of the United Staten, residing at: Chica o, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Connectors, of which the following is a specification.`

This invention relates particularly to clccV4 tric connector@l of the bayonctslot typo; and the primary object is to provide` a plural .socket conncctor of this typo which is simple, cheap and thoroughly adaptcd to its pur` pose.

xOne vcry important usc for thc inwution is in conncction with aulomohilcs. whcrc thc dash is usually cquippcil with an electric. connector having'- a socket adapted to rcccive thc dash-lump or spccilomcter-lainp. 'Ihc pIl-nal-Sm'ltct conncctor illustratcd. in thc accompanying drawings is adaptcd to hc clttclred in thc lash-carricd councctor ol; in machine, and ma)v then carry thc laslrlamp and a plug for the a ot-light cord, or a plug attached to thc comi oi' u cxploriinz-lamp, according to dcsirc or ucccssity. @Tho invcntion is illustrated in its prw forrcil cnilunlimcnt in tho 'at-companying drawings, in whichV Figui-c l rcpl'cwnlh' a `acctional ricw of thc dash ot' an automobile cqnippcd with an clcct ric conncclor proviilctl with a sockct, which connector ma)Y irc ol' an)y urli-known construction; Fig. L), a plan ricw of a pluralsoc'kct, clcctric conncctor cmhoil'vinhr my invention, this connector boing adnptcd to a two-wire system; Fig. 3. a view similanfto Fig. 2, but; Showing` thc sockcts of thc improved connector in scction; Fig. Si und Fig. 3, end views of thc lnnncllcs of' thc conA nector opposite which said figureny arc located; Figjlt, a rear cnil vicw ol thc improved connector; Fig` 5, a plan ricw of one of the contactancmbers cmploycxl; Fig. 6. a Section takcn as indicalcd at lino of Fig. Il: Fig.- 7, a scction taken as indicated at linc 7 of Fig. 3; Fig. H, an enlarged hrokcn wctionalw'iew of thc contact-mcmhcr shown in Fig; Fig. 9, a ticw partly in auction, mowing a councctor ot modified. lorm. adapted to a. singlc-wirc aystcm: Figs. Si and 9, cnil vicwa` of thc hranchcbl ot' thc. con-- Hector shown in Fig. il. thc soclwt-slcciw 'boing' removed; Fig. l0. an cml ricn of! thc shank of the conncctor shown in Fig. 9; Fig.

'(nol shown) olf/the automohilc.

11, a plan view of a contact-member which 56 has a. stein exposed at the shank of the connectior and branches which make conta-ct with the socketsleev, with which .the brunch-arms of the insulating body are equipped; Fig. 12, an edge view of the lnemq ber shown in' Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a plan View of a contact-member which provides the contra] contacts shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 14, an edge View of thc member shown in Fig.

13; Fig. i5, a sido elevational View of thc 65 connector chown in Fig. il, with the Soclcetslccvcs removed from the` branch-amis of thc connector; Fig. 1G. a vicw partly in `acction, illlmtrating;r another modification ot' tlu` conncctor which is adapted to connect a onewire system to a two-wire, system. as, for instancc, where a? car has n singhhwirc system and it is ilcsircll to clnploy a plugr or a lamp havinlg1r two cuil contacts;V Figa. 1li and 1li", ond vicwhA oi' thc branch arm4 ot the con- 75 ncctorshown in Fig. l. the soclicbsicovcs honig rcmovcd; Fiig. I7. a plan vlc-w o1' one ot thc contact-mem )1era cmploycd in tho construction shown -in Fig. lt. thi."y contactmcmber having a stom expos-cil at thc shank oi' the. conncclor and plungcrs projecting' frei-ly into thc socloh ith which thc ln'ancli-arma of thc conncrtor arc rqnippctl; Fig'. 19. an cdgc View ot' thc con!actannher shown in Fig. 1T; Fig'. lil. a plan vicw of 85 the othcr contact-incmllcr cmplorcd in the construction shown in Fig'. 1G. this contact member haringa stcni atl'ording a ccntrnl contact at thc cml of thc shank of thc conncctor and carrying plungrcral which extend into tlicfsoclwtaA with which thc connector is proviilcel: Fig. 20, an cilgc sicw of thc contact-unanimi' shown-in Fig. 1H: and Fig. 21, a sido leva-tional ricw of thc conncctor moved from thc branch-arms of the connector.

Referring to Figs. l lo H. mclusivc. reprcn'cnis the :lash of an antomohllc; B, an

clccll'ic conncctor callicll llnrchy. which iS 100` 'lhc conncctor ll ot' the automohilc is con- 105 noch-il. hy conductors l` 1,with thc battery Said connector B is fitted with the usual spring-pr0- jected plungers or terminals 2; and the socket 3 of the connector is pro-vided with the usual bayonebslots 4.

The plural-socket connector C comprises, in thisI embodiment, a body 5 of the insulatinglr material, which has a shank, or plugportion, 5, and branch-arms. or tenons, 5 and 5t; socket-s1ecves 6 securely mounted on the tenons, or branchairms. and provided with bayonebslots 6*; and a pair of similar contact-members 7 and 8, each being of the form illustrated in Fig. 6.

The body 5 has at one end reduced cylindrical portion which forms the shank, or plugortion, 5. This shank is equipped with Iiateral studs 9 which are adapted to engage the bayonet-slots 4 of the connector B, for illustration. The branch-arms of tLe body 5 have reduced portions, affording the tenons 5b and 5c.

The branch-arms may be provided with sockets, by means of the sleeves 6, which are preferably of metal. These sleeves are se eurely fastened on the tenons by any7 suitable means.

The contact-member 7 is preferably oi' the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8, comprising a stein 7, which may be formed of Wire; a curved strip. or bar, 7, affording arms at one end of the stem 71; and spring-projected plungers 7C mounted on the arms afforded by the member 7". One end of the stem 7 is riveted to an inter mediate portion of the head, or strip, "7". The other end ot said stein is upset, forming an enlargement 7, adapted to aiord a contact at one end of the shank 5 of vthe connector.

The spring-projected plungers 7C are telescopically mounted in tubular members 7, which have rivet-portions at one end which extend through perforations in the member fiFh arid are firmly riveted to said member. The member 7b is bent, or curved, so that. the springprojected plungers 7" mounted thereon will diverge or form an angle corresponding with the Y formed by the branch arms o1 the body 5. The members 7 afford contacts whichy project beyond the ends of the tenons 5l and 5C into the socket-'sleeves o, clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The contact-member 8 is of the same construction as the contaet-meniber 7. The correspondimcr parts are designated by the numeral 8 with indices corresponding with those employed in -onnection with thel numeral 7.

The bod y ."i may he composed of a hard rubber composition, or other suitable insu"` lating material, the body being' preferably molded with the contact-men'ibers 7 and 8 in position` so that they wili be lirinly embedded in the body ,5.

It now will be understood that the shank 5' of the eonnet ir C may be entered in the socket of the connector B. and the contacts 7d and 8" exposed at the end ot' the shank 5 will contact with the spriiig-projected plungers` 2 ot' thc connector Connectorplugs. or lamps. ma)l be carried by thc sockets t3. as desired. For instance where a plural-socket connector (v is mounted on i dash-carried connector, a dash-lamp may bc mounted in one of the sockets t5. while lhc other socket may receivi` thc plug of 1. lpon light cord. or an exploring-lamp cord.

In the modification illustralcd in Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, C represents thc improved connector. In this forni. the connector com prises an insulating body 1() having a plug portion, or reduced shank 10 and havin;r lnan 1'h-ar1hs 10" and 10" which are reduced' to afl'ord tenons; a pair of socltet-slcevcs 11 securely fastened on said tenons and provided with bayonehslots 11": a contact-|nem ber 12 oi the form shownv in Figs. 11 and 12: and a contact-member 12% of the form shown in Figs. 13 and l-l..

The contact-incmber 12. in the form shown, is of Y-shapc, having a stem l2 and branches 1; and 114". 'Ihe contact-menibcr 12 is embedded in the bod)4 1() near one side thereof, and hasl the stem 12 exposed at one side of the. plug-portion 10 of thc connedtor, and has the, branches 12b and 12 exposed at one side of the tenons 1()Land 10n of the connector. Thus, the stem 1Q is adapted to contact with a socket-sleeve of a connector mounted on a machine provided with a one-wire system; and the branches 12h and 12c are adapted to contact with the socket-sleeves 11.

The construction oi the contact-member 13 is similar to the construction of the contact,i':embe.r 7. Thus, the contact-member 13 ha a cent ral stem 13", a cross-member 13" riveted on one end therootI and atfording' arms, tubular members 13" riveted to the arms of thc member 125", and spring-pro jectcd plungers il" mounted in the. members 13. One end of the stem 13 is upset to form the contact 13d.

The body 10 is preferably molded of a suitable insulating compound, the contactmembers being embedded therein in the molding operation. The shank 10a oft-tho body l() is equipped with lateral studs 14 adapted to engage the bayonet-slots of the socket of a. connector mounted on the dash ol an automobile. for illustration.

The conneetorUQas describeihis adapted to lic entered in the. socket oi a connector provided with a single. central contact, and the sockets 11 are adapted to receive pliigs, or lamps, provided with a single central contact.

In the modification shown in Figs. 16 to 2l, inclusive. (32 represents a pll|ral-,-icl:etconnector adapted to connect lamps, or plugs, having two cud contacts with a' connector leheap and admirably adapted to its having a single end contact. In this form, the connector compris-esa body lofinsulat ing material, having,r a cylindrical plug-portion, or shank, 15, and tenoned brancharms 15 and 15"; a pair of socket-sleeves lli mounted on the branch-arms and provided with bayonet-slots 1(1; a contartmeniber 1i' ot' the form shown in Fins. 1i' and 1S; and a contact-membcr18o1'the form shown in l*`ig. 19 and 20.

The ronlmt-nw|nber 17 preferably cour prises a strip of metal affording a stem 17'* and a head 17"; and spring-projected plunmounted in tubular members 17 which ha re one end riveted to the head 171. As shown and described. the stem 17fL is olii set from the plane of the plunger-s 17, so that the plungers 17c are adapted to project from the ends of the tenons 15" and .15" into the socket-sleeves 16 in the manner shown in Figs. 16 and 16", While the stem 17'l is adapted to be exposed at one side of the reduced shank 15, as shown in Fig. 16.

The contact-member 18 is similar in construction to the contactniember 13, but has its stem offset in the manner shown in Fig. 20. Thus, the contactl1winber 18 comprises a stem 18*l havingr an upset end affording a. contact-member 18d; a head, or bent strip; 18,", riveted to thc opposite end of the stem 18 and affording arms; tubular members .18 having one end riveted tothe arms afforded by the member 18h; and spring-projected plungers 18 mounted in the members 18E.

he stem 18a is offset from the plane ofthe plungers 18; and the contact-member 18 is so embedded in the insulating body 15 as to have the contact 18*i exposed centrally at the end of the shank 15, While thenplungers 18 project from the ends of the tenons 15 int/Q, the' sockets 16, as will be understood from Figs'. 16, 161 and 2.1.

Thus, the connector C2 is adapted to receive in th'sockets 16 plugs, or lamps, having two end-contacts, while the shank of the connector is adapted to enter Vthe socket of a connector having a single end-contact. The shank lis equipped with lateral studs 19 adapted to engage the bayonet-slots of such connect/or as the connector C2 may be mounted upon, as, for instance, the connector of a car having a single-wire system.

y.,Vhere the improved connector is adapted to receive two plugs, as inthe forms illustrated, the Y-form of connector is desirable. The form may be varied to meet conditions, however.

The construction described is simple, purp'oe. The foregoing detailed Vdescription has been given for elearness of understandin' only, and nounnecessary limitation should` be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissiblen view of the prior art.

'tact at the end. of said ing `arms and spring-projected pluri rs ll'hat I regard as new, and desire to secure gagng studs on said' shank, and a Contact-4 member in said ,body having a stem em bedded in and serving as a contact for said shank and having branches embedded in and serving as contacts for said tenons.

:2. In an electric connector, a body of insulating material having a socket-entering, stud-equipped shank at one end and arms branching from the other end, sockets cari ried by said arms equipped with ba onetslots, and a contact-member embed ed in said body haring a stem substantially ein bedded in and serving as a contact for said shank and having arms substantially embedded in said first-named arms and plungers mounted on said second-named arms projecting freely into said sockets.

3. In an electric connector, a body of insulating material having a socket-entering stud-equipped shank at one end and arms branching from the other end, sockets carried by said arms equipped with bayonetslots, and a pair of contact-members embedded in said body, each contactmember having a stem substantially embedded in and serving as a contact for said shank and having branches substantially embedded in the arms `of said body, the ranches of at least. one of said contact-members carryin spring-projected plungers affording en contacts.

4. In an; electric connector, a Y-shape insulating body having a plug-portion of cy lindrical form equipped with lateral studs and having arms serving as tenons, socketsleeves carried by said arms provided with bayonet-slots, and a air of Y-sha e contactmembers substantia ly embedde in said body, one of said contact-members at least having a stem with an end affording a. conplug-portion and havmoueted thereon and extending freely into said socket-sleeves.

d? In an electric connector, an insulatingbeidy provided with a cylindrical plug-pori tion equipped with bayonet-slot-engagng studs and provided with arms, socket-sleeves mounted on said arms be onetvslots, and. a. pair me paaienl with faire ,members-f su stantially embedded in body, one

of said contact-mem havingastemex posed at one side oft y 1... M

body and having branches inisaid thedother lclontafmibelrf'rhavijf f4 d ten ingt roug t e 'p j p] "go sai body and a'ording' an en qindhaw ing branches in arios of sind body 0 fof .and ,stem 0X?.

l eqnippedwith spring-projected phmgers extendlng freely into epnld sm'ket-Sleeves.

6. In an electric connector, an insulating body havin a cylindrical plu Jortion equipped with lateral studs an( aving brunchmrni'. socket-sleeves mounted on said arms and provided with bayonet-slots, and a air of eontiict-memhers substantially embedged in said body,l one of said contactmembers having a stem exposed at one side of the plug-portion of said body and havin branches equipped with spring-projected plungers projectin freely into said socketsleeves, and the ot er of said contact-mem- 15 bers having a stem extending through the phg-portion of said body and affording an en -contact and having branches equipped with spring-projected plungers extending freely into said Socket-sleeves.

7. In an electric connector, u o11tuct-|nembei' adapted to be embedded in :in insulating body, said contact-member comprising n, stem havin one end adapted to serre us a Contact, a ent crosr; member permanently secured to the other end of said stelndivergent tubular members .secured to the end .portion of said bent, member, and spring! plungers mounted in said tubular JOHN BERG.

proj ect-ed members. 

